CISSP Security Architecture and Engineering Practice Question
An organization uses a system where access decisions are based on user attributes (e.g., job title, clearance), resource attributes (e.g., classification), and environmental factors (e.g., time of day). This is an example of:
⚠ Common exam trap
CISSP often tests the distinction between ABAC and RBAC; candidates may choose RBAC when the scenario mentions multiple attribute types, but RBAC only uses roles, not environmental or resource attributes.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) makes access decisions by evaluating attributes of the user (e.g., job title, clearance), the resource (e.g., classification), and the environment (e.g., time of day). This dynamic, policy-based approach is exactly what the question describes. ABAC is more granular than RBAC and allows for complex, context-aware rules.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) assigns permissions to predefined roles, and users inherit those permissions by being assigned to one or more roles. It does not dynamically evaluate multiple, distinct attributes of the user, resource, or environment at the time of an access request, but rather relies on static role assignments and their associated privileges.
- ✓
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Why this is correct
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) is the correct answer because it defines access policies based on a combination of attributes associated with the subject (user), object (resource), action, and environment. This model allows for highly granular and dynamic access decisions, evaluating conditions like time of day, location, or resource sensitivity in real-time against defined policies.
- ✗
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
Mandatory Access Control (MAC) enforces access control based on a system-wide classification scheme, where subjects and objects are assigned fixed security labels (e.g., sensitivity levels, compartments). Access is granted only if the subject's label dominates the object's label, without considering dynamic environmental attributes or user-defined policies for decision-making.
- ✗
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why it's wrong here
Discretionary Access Control (DAC) allows the owner of a resource to determine who can access it and what permissions they have, typically through access control lists (ACLs) or permission bits. This model is based on the identity of the user and the discretion of the owner, rather than a centralized policy engine evaluating a broad set of attributes for access decisions.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Key term
ABAC
ABAC (Attribute-Based Access Control) is a method of controlling access to resources by evaluating a set of attributes (such as user role, time, location, and device) against policy rules, rather than using static roles or identities.
Key term
Access control
Access control is the security practice of determining who or what is allowed to view, use, or enter a resource, and under what conditions.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
This CISSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CISSP exam.